Earthquake... Magnitude uh... 1.6?

After two weeks of having a very annoying cough, I managed to develop the sniffles. Could that be from last Thursday when I got wet in the rain? Friday when the temperature dropped by more than ten degrees? Saturday when it rained and snowed?

Today I am standing talking to two of my coworkers when I am thrusted forward. The last time I felt that Jack Sparrow like motion, it was an earthquake of 8.6 magnitude, felt about the same, but this time only I was affected. After that dizzy spell, I fall into my chair, I look up everything is way too bright so I just hold my head in my hands until I regain composure.

Some may say it was self-inflicted, the night time Theraflu I consumed during the day, followed by the day time Theraflu I drank after lunch.... I beg to differ

After work, I headed home, before 6pm I was logged into my conference call and ready to talk to my friends to plan the "China reunion". Of the 6 people I was closest to while I lived in China, 4 of them are in America now, we must meet! We are making progress on finding a time that fits the teaching schedules. 

After  7pm, I was on a very productive 90 minute conference call.

Pass me the Vicks I'm going to bed!

Unforgiveness

When you first hear about unforgiveness, you may think you are not holding unforgiveness but here is the test:
1. Unforgiveness always keeps scores and tabs
2. It boasts about what it does
3. Complaining about how you were treated
4. Alienates, divides and separates...withdrawing from people
5. Accuses, exposes and brings up the faults of others
6. Displays negative emotions like anger, jealousy and resentment
Think about the following:
1. How do you react when you hear their name or think about them?
2. How do you feel when you hear something good has happened to them?
3. Do you rejoice when you hear that evil has befallen them?
4. If they try to apologize, do you rehearse what they did to you and try to make them feel guilty?

Detecting unforgiveness is crucial because when it takes root it leads to bitterness and resentment. Offense is the bait used to lure us in the unforgiveness trap. It is not always about the other person, sometimes we are just having a bad day and are overly sensitive.

Myths about forgiveness dispelled
1. Total forgiveness does not mean restoration of the relationship.
Myth: You must allow them to regain their original position in your life.

There have been people in my life who either did not have a purpose in my life or already filled it and should not be in my life. Every time they failed me, I would forgive them and bring them back in my life. I had to learn that forgiveness did not mean stupidity. I had to learn to love people from a distance. I would forgive them totally but understand that the did not deserve a place in my life.

2. There is no maximum amount of times, just keep forgiving, dont allow bitterness, unforgiveness or resentment to be in your heart.

The Lords Prayer

How many have recited "Forgive us our debts as we forgive those that trespass against us"
Sounds nice and spiritual but what it really means is "Lord the way I do (or dont) forgive people, treat me the same way! Soooo, if we hold unforgiveness, God can not forgive us and we are hindering our faith walk.

Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. You are only hurting yourself. If you have unforgiveness it your heart, release it. Stop thinking about it and stop talking about it. Drop it, leave it and let it go. Do not curse them, nurse it or rehearse it, just let it go!

Yes, you will have feelings but the ultimate measure is what you do with those feelings and how you behave. You may not be able to control the way you feel but you can control what you do. Pass the test.

Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling

Joyce Meyer

Activity packed weekend

My friend from Georgia gave me a Georgian name, its Tsisana, literally Anna from the sky so I am a sky princess. Tonia asks for a name but does not like "Maka" especially after I explained to her that in Jamaica thats what we call thorns! She gets a Georgian name so she is all excited, its Natia meaning light.

After the Kids Festival, we headed to church then slept over at Gwen's house and a very tired Tonia crashes or tries to but Gwen deflated the bed while she was on it ;)

I am on the bus on my way home, so much more to do before the day ends!

Kids Festival

Game Night at Ny's

43 Ways to Simplify Life (Zen Family Habits)

I "googled" Simpify Life to find my blog and saw a site that piqued my curiosity...here are the 43 ways to Simplify Life {http://www.zenfamilyhabits.net/2010/01/43-simple-ways-to-simplify-your-life/}

1. Turn off your cell phone.

2. Process email only twice a day.

3. Go to bed early.

4. Get rid of (or at least reduce) commitments that you do out of obligation.

5. Create a weekly meal plan.

6. Automate your finances.

7. Purge as much unneeded clutter as possible.

8. Keep your paper shredder on top of your recycling bin.

9. Add items you want to a wish list as you think of them.

10. Get a label maker or write labels out by hand.

11. Set your clothes out for the next day the night before.

12. Make your lunch for the next day the night before.

13. Make time to catch up with an old friend.

14. Just say no.

15. Ask for experiences not things for your birthday and Christmas this year.

16. Tell the truth.

17. Keep your list of addresses and phone numbers up to date.

18. Consolidate debt.

19. Create an organizing system that works for you.

20. Keep a bag for garbage in your car.

21. Cary a notebook and pen with you where ever you go.



22. Unsubscribe from emails, newsletters or RSS feeds that don’t provide value anymore.

23. Apologize immediately when you realize you’ve done wrong.

24. Enjoy the present moment as much as you can.

25. Take time to really see the little things in life.

26. Reduce the amount of TV you watch.

27. Get outside.

28. Create morning, daytime, and evening routines.

29. Ask for help.

30. Do things at home as much as possible (eat, date nights, entertain etc.).

31. Don’t get caught up in other people’s drama.

32. Let go of the self-imposed need to be perfect.

33. Focus on a simple, but healthy, eating plan.

34. Share responsibilities.

35. Reduce your wardrobe to a few versatile items.

36. Be positive.

37. Start a gratitude journal.

38. Finish old tasks before taking on new ones.

39. For every new item that enters your home set two free.

40. Want what you have not what you don’t.

41. Revisit what you carry with you in your purse or wallet.

42. Focus on one thing at a time.

43. Store new garbage bags at the bottom of your garbage can.

Expectations

We go to work on a daily basis and at the end of a week, we expect to get paid.
We attend university, we hope to increase in knowledge and if we stick it out a little longer, we expect a degree.
Why is it that we believe in God but never expect anything from the Kingdom? Granted, whatever we do is done out of love but we say we know we love God but never expect Him to bless us. Most earthly father provide for their children, so how much more should you expect God to provide for you? A lot more.

Cast away false humility, religious myths, proverbs that are not in the Bible and learn the truth about God's will for your life!

Here it is in a nutshell:

God told Abraham that He would bless Him until all the families of the earth are blessed. He promised that if we obey his commands, we will be blessed everywhere we go in our finances. He said that anything we do will prosper because He takes delight in the prosperity of His servants, in every area of our life including our health, he bore our sicknesses so we don't have to be diseased!

He goes on to say that He already knows the plans He has for us and they are not to harm us, but to give us a good future and an expected end. He explained how to do that, believe, dont doubt in your heart and anything you say can be yours!! Nothing is impossible to those that believe! He has so much in store for us, we cant even imagine it! We are entitled to this because we are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. You can do all things through Christ because He strengthens you. He wishes above all things that we are blessed and that we prosper even as our souls prosper.

See scripture references below:

Genesis 12:2,3 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Deuteronomy 28:1-4 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
Psalm 1:3 You will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 35:27 May they always say, “The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant
Psalm 103:3 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.
Mark 9:23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, NO eye has seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Philippians 4:13,19 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
1 John 3:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Expectation is the breeding ground for miracles!!!

We are the 99%

So Julz met me at work, we went shopping at Macy*s and then I left to check out what was happening at Occupy Wall St. The plan was go to Wall St., take some pictures, give some support and head to church, simple 20 minute feat.

I stayed for two hours! It was unusual seeing people so unified, dedicated and committed. Almost reminds me of the blackout a few years ago. I've honestly only sensed that sense of unity during traumatic periods so it was quite refreshing to see so many people join hands and hearts towards a common goal. Everyone there was so positive with the four stages of victory in the back of their minds. First they ignore you, then there is ridicule, later comes the fight but if you fight the fight,victory is inevitable. So optimism flooded the park....and then there was Henry.

Henry is a Georgian politician who has resided in New York for the last six years. He is the biggest cyncic, skeptic and pessimist. With Henry comes reason, logic, humor but most importantly experience. He has witnessed, organized and participated in many a protests so it makes you wonder, is he a pessimist or a realist?

Baruch College

Yesterday I went to visit a former professor. I took an Investor Relations class with him while in grad school. We had a very interesting discussion, his advice was clear, concise and gave me perspective on life.

I could not come all the way to Baruch and not visit my sorority sisters. When I got to the club room, there were a bunch of guys from the fraternity {Alpha Phi Delta}...the frat that pledged the "founding mothers" of my sorority. Like good girls, all the sorors were in class so I didnt get to meet up with them.

After that NLo and I had delicious dim sum in Chinatown and I was in bed by 930pm. All this coughing makes a gal real tired!

Cure for disobedient hair?

Scissors! Dont mess me! I have places to be!!

Or a ponytail?

Sleep Bank?

The body is so unfair! Its only Monday and I am soooo tired! I didn't have an exceptionally busy weekend and I woke up feeling rested, why did I fall asleep on myself at 8:30pm? I was waiting for my potatoes to finish boiling and the next thing I knew, I woke up and my potatoes were done.

I am a very proactive person and I like to plan ahead. If I predict a busy week, why cant I just sleep in advance to deposit sleep? The body will allow us to catch up on sleep in a reactive way, so why not in a proactive way? Why cant we bank sleep so that we can withdraw it later?

If you dont think the body is unfair, watch a fat person go to the gym faithfully for a few months and have ZERO visible results. Give that same person a couple donuts and see how quickly it attaches to the ribs and how visible it is! No fair!!!

10:30 going to bed!

One day: The mind is a terrible thing to waste

On the 23rd of August, I had a very interesting conversation that was life changing...literally. It never ceases to amaze me how the mind works. On the 23rd of every month, I would start to replay the conversation and re-live the emotions and I would not understand since nothing triggered it but I would check the date and like clockwork, it was the 23rd of the month. The anniversary of that one day...

On a New York minute

So time is really of the essence for the New York city subway rider doing her makeup on the train. Notice how she improvises using the rear of her Iphone as a mirror!

On my way to work after being out sick yesterday. Last night was horrible, air was a thing to be desired. I was gasping for air and coughing uncontrollably. Nights are tough, mornings are much more manageable.

PS wanna see the after image, pshhh I am not going to take another picture of this woman! She can easily "take" me lol

What do you want to do before you die?

A more interactive Brooklyn? Not sure what the motive is, I just happened to stumble upon this after leaving ny doctor's appt.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Top of the Rock

Rockefeller Center, NYC